Figures released by the Statistics Unit show the number of people actively seeking work in Jersey at the end of November was 1,820, up 100 on October 2012, and the highest since February.

The figures also show a fall in the number of long term unemployed, and in the number of young people seeking work between the age of 16 and 19. In the last month, nearly 200 people have found employment through Social Security’s Back to Work programme.

The Minister for Social Security, Senator Francis Le Gresley said: ‘We’re doing what we can to help people affected by the downturn through the Back to Work initiatives. This is the first winter we’ve not had the benefit of people finding employment in the fulfilment industry, following the removal of low value consignment relief, and that’s one of the significant drivers behind this rise.

‘There’s cautious good news in that we’re seeing more longer term unemployed and younger people finding work, but it remains the case that behind these figures is the very real hardship people are suffering as a result of being unemployed.’

The Back to Work programme is part of a major initiative developed to support the Island’s economy through the downturn. The Housing, and Treasury and Resources Ministers have announced that work is due to start shortly on the development of 113 new social rented homes, which will support the economy through infrastructure spending, providing work for the Island’s construction industry and securing jobs for Islanders.